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Roger in his 7th Grand-Slam final

27.01.2006 | Tennis

Roger will play unseeded Marcos Baghdatis in the Australian Open final! He overpowered Nicolas Kiefer (GER) 6-3 5-7 6-0 6-2 in the semi-final today.

Roger sealed his win on his fourth match point when Kiefer netted a service return after two hours and 40 minutes on Rod Laver Arena to reach his seventh final in the past 11 grand slams. "We have had many close and tough matches over the last few years," Roger said of Kiefer in a courtside interview. Roger had too much power and shot variety for Kiefer, who was playing in his first grand slam semi-final in 35 attempts.

Roger has never lost a grand slam final and will be seeking his third straight title after winning Wimbledon and the U.S. Open last year, leaving only the French Open to complete a "Roger Slam" of all four major titles in succession! With a victory this Sunday he would be the first player since Pete Sampras, twelve years ago, to make the triple.

Roger beat Baghdatis in straight sets in the fourth round in Melbourne last year before he fell to eventual champion Marat Safin in the semi-finals. The Cypriot has made extraordinary progress through the tournament, toppling second seed Andy Roddick in the fourth round and then seventh seed Ivan Ljubicic in the quarters. Baghdatis, a former world junior champion, then stunned fourth seed David Nalbandian in Thursday's first semi-final, coming from two sets down to win 3-6 5-7 6-3 6-4 6-4.

"I'm looking forward to it. What a great effort by Marcos," Roger said.

Dear Roger,
Congratulations for your win!! I think it's very nice of you to serve a bagel to each of your German opponent (hehe =p). Thank you for a terrific display of unbelievable yet beautiful shotmakings that only you capable of. Keep adding those to

Dear Roger,
Congratulations for your win!! I think it's very nice of you to serve a bagel to each of your German opponent (hehe =p). Thank you for a terrific display of unbelievable yet beautiful shotmakings that only you capable of. Keep adding those to

Dear Roger,
Congratulations for your win!! I think it's very nice of you to serve a bagel to each of your German opponent (hehe =p). Thank you for a terrific display of unbelievable yet beautiful shotmakings that only you capable of. Keep adding those to

Way to go, Roger!!! You're at the Final of the Australian Open, and I know you won't waste the opportunity if it's up to you. Though Baghdatis had a dream run here, you own this court now! Get your rest, and go get 'em!